Beloved,

Somehow, I just started calling you Beloved, a while ago. Somehow, Beloved Community slipped into our argot, as our name for ourselves as a group. Somehow, Building the Beloved Community became the task we set for ourselves. It harks back to Dr. King’s exhortation that this is the work people of good will do, if they really want to change themselves and change the world, turn it away from the competition that erodes love and the ranking that breeds bitterness and violence.

We’ve been talking in church about rank, about the power our words have to create our reality, and about closing up schisms, crossing lines to integrate our communities. But what about our own sanctuary? It’s pretty white. It’s pretty middle-class. What can, what should (the S word!) we do if we want to make it sanctuary for all, not just for some? Do we want to do this work? It might be harder than we think.

I’ll be preaching Sunday about sanctuary, and what it might really take to build the beloved community inside our walls. John is our lovely liturgist, as the previous scheduled Owen was whisked off to Haiti to do relief work in public health (God be with you, Owen!). Laura Ruth will help us pray.

We will receive 12 beautiful new members! New members, you make us proud, and see our strength.

After church, Annual Meeting! We vote on the budget that Finance has carefully prepared, thanks to your incredible outpouring of pledged commitments for the new year: pledges are up over 20%, in a recession, and our 2009 budget has shown that we have very nearly closed our deficit gap, for the first time in many a year! Hallelujah!

Sunday evening, re/New at 7p for your deep spirit: how to be a Christian in a multi-religious world. People, re/New is exactly what it claims to be: you won’t leave unrefreshed.

blessings, all,

Molly